Step 4: Hit the Copy Button!

Step 5: The Finished Product

Now you should have a nice clean photocopy without the big black borders that waste toner and can jam your copier. A note on copyright: Be caref...

Making photocopies from books is a necessity for teachers or those doing research from reference materials that may not be checked out from their local library. However, the black borders that are printed around the edges of the page are a waste of toner, can jam up the photocopier and look gross. Here are some easy steps to keep from getting those black borders on your photocopies.

When you photocopy a book without using these steps this is what your page will look like... yuck!

Step 1: Insert Paper Between Pages

Insert a piece of blank white paper behind the page you wish to photocopy. Make sure it is placed straight up and down, paralell to the edge of the book's cover.

Step 2: Place Book on Copier.

Lay the book on the glass with the page you want to photocopy facing down. The blank sheet of paper should still be slipped in behind that page.

Step 3: Adjust Paper Placement

Adjust the paper so that it lines up with the 8 and 1/2 by 11 inch mark on your photocopier's ruler. It may look something like this.

The point is to make sure that the paper is right up to the edge of where your copier will copy (depending on the paper size that you have selected.) You want the copier to see the blank paper rather than the open space below your book cover's edge and beyond. This is what prevents the black border from showing up.

Step 4: Hit the Copy Button!

Now hit the copy button. Make sure you keep your hand on the book to hold it in place. Using this method, you don't even have to try to close the copier's cover. However, make sure you are pressing down firmly to ensure that you are able copy text that may be closer to the inside of the spine. Just be careful not to damage the book in the process.

I have been using Scan Tailor for a month now and it does an excellent job of cutting out the black bars, straightening the text, splitting pages, and all for free. The website is scantailor.sourceforge.net/, really awesome product.